Sooner I'd wish and sigh through nunnery grates, Than recommend the flame Sabina hates. SAB. Because some widows are in haste sub- Shall every fop upon our tears intrude? Did not his rosy lips breathe forth perfume, greater curse Than squalls of children for an absent nurse: For Lesbia long had known a separate bed. Gush forth, ye tears! waste, waste, ye sighs! my breast, My days, my nights were by Fidelio bless'd! LUCY. You cannot sure forget how oft you said His teazing fondness jealousy betray'd! When at the play the neighbouring box he took, Yet thought you read suspicion in his look; When cards and counters flew around the board, Have you not wish'd the absence of your lord? His company was then a poor pretence To check the freedoms of a wife's expense! SAB. But why should I Myrtillo's passion blame, Since love's a fierce involuntary flame? LUCY. Could he the sallies of his heart withstand, Why should he not to Chloe give his hand? Why, Daphne, dost thou blame Sabina's charms? At Crimp Myrtillo play'd; in kind regards Doris was touch'd with spleen; her fan she rent, SAB. Yet say I loved; how loud would Censure rail, So soon to quit the duties of the veil! No, sooner plays and operas I'd forswear, Or fix a friendship with my maiden aunt, Hasty she snatch'd the letter, tore the seal; She read, and blushes glow'd beneath the veil, THE ESPOUSAL. * A SOBER ECLOGUE BETWEEN TWO OF THE PEOPLE CALLED QUAKERS. CALEB, TABITHA. BENEATH the shadow of a beaver hat, CALEB. Beloved! see how all things follow love: Lamb fondleth lamb, and dove disports with dove; And none can call the turtle's bill impure. The billing dove, and fondling lamb, to thee. TABIT. But, Caleb, know that birds of gentle mind Elect a mate among the sober kind; Not the macaws, all deck'd in scarlet pride, CALEB. Name not the frailties of my youthful days, When Vice misled me through the harlot's ways; And nature with each wanton look rebell'd; Thy falsehood own, and say I am betray'd: I too might blame-but love delights to please. For lust of gain, but for the giver's sake. TABIT. I own Josiah gave the golden toy, Which did the righteous hand of Quare employ: When Caleb hath assign'd some happy day, I look on this, and chide the hour's delay: And when Josiah would his love pursue, CALEB. Ah! Tabitha! to hear these words of thine, My pulse beats high, as if inflamed with wine! With what sweet transport didst thou roll thine eyes, How did thy words provoke the brethren's sighs! Words that with holy sighs might others move, But, Tabitha! my sighs were sighs of love. TABIT. Is Tabitha beyond her wishes bless'd? Does no proud worldly dame divide thy breast? Then hear me, Caleb! witness what I speak, This solemn promise death alone can break; Sooner I would bedeck my brow with lace, And with immodest favourites shade my face; Sooner, like Babylon's lewd whore, be dress'd In flaring diamonds and a scarlet vest, Or make a courtesy in cathedral pew, Than prove inconstant while my Caleb's true. CALEB. When I prove false and Tabitha forsake, Teachers shall dance a jig at country-wake; Brethren unbeaver'd then shall bow their head, And with profane mince-pies our babes be fed. TABIT. If that Josiah were with passion fired, Warm as the zeal of youth when first inspired ; |